Biodegradable Bottle for Liquids

ABSTRACT

A bottle for holding liquids that is biodegradable and that is made from environmentally sustainable materials. The bottle includes a body, a shoulder, a neck portion, and a cap. According to one aspect, the neck portion of the bottle is made of bioplastic, and the shoulder and body of the bottle are made from thermoformed pulp. The bioplastic neck can mate with, and be adhered to, the shoulder, and the shoulder can mate with, and be adhered to, the pulp body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/509,482, entitled “Biodegradable Bottle for Liquids” and filed Jul.19, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/509,858, entitled“Biodegradable Bottle for Liquids” and filed Jul. 20, 2012, the contentsof which applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing liquids and,more specifically, to a bottle for liquids, which bottle isbiodegradable and manufactured from environmentally sustainablematerials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional bottles for liquids are typically made of petroleum-basedplastics. Reacting to the rising cost of petroleum-based plastics,manufacturers of conventional plastic bottles have been making bottlesthinner in recent years. This trend is predicted to continue for theforeseeable future. Meanwhile, the price of pulp products having certainstrength and performance attributes has stayed relatively stable. Asconventional petroleum-based plastic bottles have been made thinner,their performance as measured by static load and compressive strengthhas often been compromised. Petroleum-based plastics also have a largercarbon footprint than pulp and bioplastics, as petroleum-based plasticstypically do not biodegrade, while both pulp and bioplastics do.Further, pulp and bioplastics are made from environmentally sustainableresources, and the former can be recycled easily.

There have been many recent efforts to develop biodegradable bottleshaving potential to address problems relating to the cost, performance,and environmental impact of conventional bottles. The most commonbiodegradable bottles are made from bioplastics, particularly polylacticacid (PLA). These bottles are relatively expensive, and in somerespects, PLA bottles do not perform as well as pulp-based bottles.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,385,764 and 5,705,237 relate to a containerincorporating a hydraulically settable structural matrix including ahydraulically settable binder such as cement for use in the storing,dispensing, and/or packing of food and beverage products. Disposablecontainers and cups are those that are particularly useful fordispensing hot and cold food and beverages in a fast food restaurantindustry.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,793 relates to a method of manufacturing a pulp moldformed body. The method feeds a pulp slurry to a cavity of a papermaking mold having a prescribed cavity shape to form a pulp pre-formincluding a main part having an opening and a separate part having aflange and connected to an edge of the opening. A pressing member isinserted into the pre-form; the pressing member is expanded to press thepre-form toward the paper making surface; the pre-form is removed fromthe paper making mold; and then the pre-form is cut at a joint betweenthe separable part and the main part.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,975 relates to a pulp molded container comprising apulp molded article having, on the inner surface and/or the outersurface, a resin with the thickness of 5-300 μm formed by applying acoating. The thickness ratio of the resin layer to the molded article is½ to 1/100, and the surface roughness profile of the outer or innersurface of the pulp molded article is such that a center line averageroughness is 0.5 to 20 μm.

U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US 2010/0200591 (published Aug. 12, 2010), anda product manufactured by the assignee of such patent application(Greenbottle), provide a composite of pulp and a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) bladder, where the end user separates the bladderfrom the pulp at end of use and recycles them in their respectivestreams. However, if a user left the whole bottle to biodegrade it wouldnot do so due to its PET bladder.

While there have been attempts in the prior art to address the problemsrelating to cost, performance, and environmental impact of bottles,there remains a need for new solutions to address these issues withgreater efficacy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided abottle that is biodegradable and that is made from sustainablematerials. In one embodiment, the bottle comprises three parts: a necksection, a shoulder section, and a body section. The bottle may be madefor a single use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the neck section, which contains a flangeand threads for sealing, is made from a biodegradable bioplastic. Abioplastic neck allows for better performance by the flange and threadsthan typical pulp-formed versions of the neck; however the neck sectioncould be made from thermoformed pulp. The shoulder and body sections aremade from thermoformed pulp. The bottle may be molded in multiple partsand joined at one or more seams with an adhesive. The strength of thebond may be smooth and non porous as bioplastic. The adhesive may be awater-based, food safe compound.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the bottle has abiodegradable lining. The neck section may have a cap closure at itstop. The cap may be made from the same material as the bottle neck. Thecap may screw onto the top of the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the bottle may beused for the storage and consumption of beverages including water,juices, sports and energy drinks. As such, the bottle may be a containerof a size to hold twelve ounces of liquid, or any other convenientvolume of liquid. In certain embodiments, the bottle may include anadhesive that may be FDA approved for use in connection with humanconsumption. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the bottle may be usedfor inedible products such as detergents, solvents, and oil-basedproducts. The adhesive and the lining inside the bottle may vary asappropriate for the particular liquid contained within the bottle.

In an embodiment, the bottle may have the look of conventional plasticbottles that are currently on the market today. As such, the bottle mayhave an area to be used as a label area for attaching a label. When usedas a bottle for beverages, the bottle may have a similar neck design toexisting beverage bottles, including a neck with a flange below thethreads where a top is screwed on.

The bottle may have similar overall look or dimensions as conventionalplastic bottles for ease in utilizing existing manufacturing,distribution, and retail channels, as well as to appeal to consumers,but the bottle may have certain distinguishing features that set itapart from conventional plastic bottles. The bottle may be designed tobe filled on a standard production line so that it can be integratedinto an existing production line.

The bottling environment may rely on holding and controlling the bottleby the neck flange beneath the cap. The bottle may rest on this flangeas it is transported through the various processes of bottling whichinclude initial cleaning/rinsing, labeling, filling and capping. Thebottle may be inverted to drain after rinsing or clamped to preventrotation as the cap and seal are twisted on; both are done bymanipulating the flange.

The bottle of the present invention exceeds the strength andcapabilities of the latest PET(polyethylene)/PLA (poly lactic acid)bottles. Recently other bottles made of petroleum-based plastic have hadseveral weight reductions over time to reduce cost and addressenvironmental concerns. These weight reductions have made the bottlesquite weak. In the packing stage of the bottling process, the bottles ofthe current invention may be placed on a pallet in layers. A pallet maybe loaded six layers high. Each layer may be separated by a corrugatedcardboard separator sheet, and the complete cube may then beshrink-wrapped. The palletized bottles may then be double stacked on atrailer. The maximum static load on a bottle is 11 bottles plus theproportional weight of the upper pallet; this is a bottle on the bottomlayer of the lower pallet.

Thus, the pulp hybrid, by virtue of being stronger, is able to endurethe same or harsher environment than its plastic counterparts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certainembodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like numeralsindicate like elements throughout. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, andinstruments shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a bottle, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective skeleton view of the bottle illustrated in FIG.1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan skeleton view of a bottom of the bottle illustrated inFIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of abottle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a top of the bottle illustrated in FIG. 4,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the bottle illustrated in FIG. 4, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view of half of a cross section of the top of the bottle ofFIG. 4 taken along a line A-A illustrated in FIG. 4, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is view of a cross section of a top of another embodiment of abottle taken along a line similar to the line A-A illustrated in FIG. 4,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is another view of cross section of a top of another embodimentof a bottle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a bottle, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is a sectional view of a top of the bottle of FIG. 10 takenalong lines B-B illustrated in FIG. 10, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another exemplary embodiment of abottle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 illustrates exemplary steps of a method of manufacturing abottle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary steps of a method of thermoforming abottle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bottle which can be used in thestorage, transportation, and consumption or use of liquids, said bottlebeing biodegradable and manufactured from environmentally sustainablematerials.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment ofan apparatus, generally designated as 100, for storing liquids, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated, the apparatus 100 is a bottle. It isto be understood that the apparatus 100 may be any apparatus orcontainer for storing liquids.

The bottle 100 comprises a body 110, a shoulder 120, a neck 130, and acap 140. The cap 140 of the bottle 100 assists in sealing the contentsof the bottle 100 until the bottle 100 is opened. In the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the neck 130 includes exteriorthreading 132 on its upper portion 134 for receiving the cap 140. It isto be understood that the bottle 100 is not limited to includingexterior threading 132 and that the cap 140 of the bottle 100 can alsobe secured through other means known to one skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective skeleton view of the bottle 100, andFIG. 3 illustrates a plan skeleton view of a bottom of the bottle 100,in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thebody 110 of the bottle 100 may comprise a smooth surface area 114 (bestseen in FIGS. 1 and 2) for applying a label. It is to be understood thatalthough FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that the surface area 114 is smooth,other embodiments in which the surface area 114 is not smooth arecontemplated.

In an exemplary embodiment of the bottle 100, the body 110 and shoulder120 are constructed of pulp, and the neck 130 and cap 140 are formedfrom bioplastic. Illustrated in FIG. 4 is such an exemplary embodimentof the bottle 100, generally designated as 400, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4illustrates a perspective view of the bottle 400. Illustrated in FIG. 5is a side plan view of a top portion of the bottle 400, and illustratedin FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the bottle 400.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 together, the bottle 200 comprises a pulp body410, a pulp shoulder 420, a bioplastic neck portion 430, and abioplastic cap 440. The pulp body 410 can be of any shape known to oneskilled in the art to be suitable for storing liquid contents. The pulpbody 410 is generally tapered, as shown in the figure, to facilitateremoval during a molding process, and its base may have the shape of arounded square to provide strength.

The pulp shoulder 420 comprises an opening 422 at its top and a verticallip 424 at its bottom. The pulp shoulder has a generally dome-likeshape. The bioplastic neck portion 430 includes a neck 432 attached to abottom portion 434. The neck 432 includes a neck flange 438. The bottomportion 434 comprises a ridge 436 and has a dome-like, or conical orsquare, shape. The portion of the dome-like shape of the neck portion430 below the ridge 436 generally matches the dome-like shape of thepulp shoulder 420. The pulp shoulder 420 comprises an inner surface 421and an outer surface 423, and the bioplastic neck portion 430 comprisesan inner surface 431 and an outer surface 433. Thus, the outer surface433 of the portion of the neck portion 430 below the ridge 436 matchesthe outer surface 423 of the pulp shoulder 420 adjacent to the opening422 so that the top edge of the opening 422 of the pulp shoulder abutsagainst the ridge 436 of the neck portion 430. The matching in shapes ofthe outer surfaces 433, 423 of the respective portions of the neckportion 430 below the ridge 436 and of the pulp shoulder 420 providesfor a smooth exterior surface of the bottle 400 in the area about theridge 436 upon joining the bioplastic neck portion 430 and pulp shoulder420, as the outer surfaces 433, 423 of the respective bioplastic neckportion 430 and pulp shoulder 420 on either side of the ridge 436smoothly transitions from one to another.

The bioplastic neck flange 438 is cylindrical and extends radially fromthe top portion of the bioplastic neck portion 430. In one embodiment,illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 and in further detail in FIG. 7, whichillustrates a portion of a cross section of the bottle 400 taken along aline A-A illustrated in FIG. 4, the pulp shoulder 420 is placed over thebioplastic neck portion 430, and the neck 432 extends through theopening 422 of the pulp shoulder 420. The neck 432 has exteriorthreading 439 along the top portion of its circumference for receivingthe cap 440. It is to be understood that the cap 440 of the bottle 400can also be secured through other means known to one skilled in the art.The body 410 of the bottle 400 may also includes a smooth surface 414onto which a label may be placed.

As seen in FIG. 7, the pulp shoulder 420 further comprises asubstantially vertical (in cross section) lip 424 at its bottom, as wellas a nearly horizontal (in cross section) shelf 426 between the lip 424and the adjacent portion of the pulp shoulder 420. The lip 424 has alarger circumference that the adjacent portion of the pulp shoulder 420and creates a flanged mating section. The shelf 426 is defined by thedifference in circumference between the lip 424 and the adjacent portionof the pulp shoulder 420. The inner circumference of the pulp shoulder420 at the lip 426 fits over the outer surface of the top 412 of thepulp body 410, such that the outer surface of the pulp body 410 isadjacent to, and in contact with, the inner surface of the lip 424. Thepulp body 410, therefore, abuts the horizontal shelf 426.

In one exemplary embodiment of the bottle 400, the pulp body 410 andpulp shoulder 420 are attached using an adhesive 428, such as known toone skilled in the art. In another exemplary embodiment, they areattached using a heat sealing technique described herein. As set forthbelow, the adhesive is desirable a polymer that is not soluble in waterbut is biodegradable and repulpable, thereby allowing the bottle to berecycled in the paper stream. In such an embodiment, the fill line ofliquid contents may be above the bonding line, the point at which thepulp shoulder 36 is bonded to the pulp body 32. A label may be placedover the mating of the pulp shoulder 420 with the pulp body 410 around acomplete circumference of the bottle 400 or 400′.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated yet another exemplaryembodiment of a bottle, generally designated as 400′, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The bottle 400′includes many of the same elements of features of the bottle 400 butdiffers in a few respects. The neck portion, generally designated as430, of the bottle 400′ differs from the neck portion 430 of the bottle400 in that the lower dome-like portion, generally designated as 434′lacks the ridge 436. The lack of the ridge 436 is the result of the factthat the neck portion 430′ is fitted over the top of the outside surfaceof the shoulder 420, as shown in FIG. 8.

A method of manufacturing the bottle 400 or 400′ is now described, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.12 illustrates exemplary steps 1210 through 1260 of a method 1200 formanufacturing the bottle 400 or 400′, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The method begins with forming thepulp body 410 and pulp shoulder 420 by thermoforming a paper pulpslurry, Step 1210. After the pulp body 410 and pulp shoulder 420 arethermoformed, they are conveyed to a coating machine that sprays asealant onto the cavity side (inner surfaces) of the pulp sections, Step1220. The purpose of this coating is to create a barrier between theliquid and the pulp. This sealant could be from the family of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) polymers, or a bioplastic (that can be sprayed), or anyother interior sealing coating known to one skilled in the art. Thespray coating is then dried in the Step 1220. In an exemplary embodimentof the method 1200, after the pulp body 410 and pulp shoulder 420 arespray coated and dried in the Step 1220, the pulp sections may betrimmed at their perimeter in an option Step 1230. The method 1200 thenproceeds to a Step 1240. If the Step 1230 is bypassed, the method 1200passes directly from the Step 1220 to the Step 1240.

The bioplastic neck portion 430 or 430′ is injection molded from abioresin material known to one skilled in the art, Step 1240. In anexemplary embodiment, the bioresin is polylactic acid (PLA). Thebioplastic neck portion 430 or 430′ is then attached to the pulpshoulder 420, Step 1250. In an exemplary embodiment of the Step 1250,the bioplastic neck portion 430 or 430′ is bonded to the pulp shoulder420 using an adhesive 429 known to one skilled in the art. The adhesive429 is desirably a polymer that is not soluble in water, but isbiodegradable and repulpable, allowing the bottle to be recycled in thepaper stream. With respect to the bottle 400, the adhesive material 429(illustrated in FIG. 7) is applied to the outer surface of thebioplastic neck portion 430 and the neck portion 430 is then joinedtogether with the inner surface of the pulp shoulder 420. With respectto the bottle 400′, the adhesive material 429 (illustrated in FIG. 8)may be applied to the inner surface of the bioplastic neck portion 430′and then joined together with the outer surface of the pulp shoulder420.

In another exemplary embodiment of the Step 1250, the bioplastic neckportion 430 or 430′ is secured to the pulp shoulder 420 through a heatsealing process. The bioplastic neck portion 430 or 430′ and the pulpshoulder 420 are inserted into a purpose-built jig. Heated press toolsare then closed on the mating surfaces, and, through pressure and heat,the bioplastic neck portion 430 or 430′ is adhered to the pulp shoulder420. Alternatively, if the bioplastic neck portion 430 or 430′ does nothave properties that allow for heat sealing, a heat activated adhesivemay be introduced on one of the mating surfaces before pressing.

Following the Step 1250, the pulp shoulder 420 is attached and securedto the pulp body 410, Step 1260. In the Step 1260, the pulp shoulder 420may be attached to the pulp body by an adhesive 428. Although FIG. 12illustrates that the Step 1250 is performed after the Step 1240, it isto be understood that the order of these two steps may be switched inalternative exemplary embodiments. Additionally, although FIG. 12illustrates that the Step 1220 is performed before the Steps 1240through 1260, alternative exemplary embodiments of the method 1200 inwhich the Step 1220 is performed after the Steps 1240 through 1260 arecontemplated. In such an embodiment, the inner surface of the assembledbottle 400 or 400′ is spray coated with a sealant. This sealant could befrom the family of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymers, or a bioplastic(that can be sprayed), or any other interior sealing coating known toone skilled in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there are illustrated exemplary Steps 1310though 1380 of a method 1300 of thermoforming performed in the Step 1210of the method 1200, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The method 1200 of thermoforming involves creating asuspension of paper pulp fibers in water, Step 1310, and dipping a toolcovered in stainless steel gauze into the suspension of paper pulpfibers, Step 1320. A vacuum is applied to the tool and the gauze beginsto develop an accumulation of paper fibers while the water passesthrough the gauze, Step 1330. Once the desired level of pulp is achievedon the gauze, the tool is removed from the suspension, Step 1340. Thevacuum is again applied to the tool causing the accumulation to dewaterand compress, thereby creating a wet felt of paper fibers on the tool,Step 1350. The suspension of pulp fibers comprises paper, a sizing agentand/or a wet strength agent that could be any combination of, orexclusively a rosin of, a wax emulsion, alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), orpolyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE). Additionally, aluminum sulfate,polyaluminum chloride (PAC), or a polymer based additive may be used forflocculation, drainage and in the instance of PAC and the polymer basedadditive, retention.

The felt is then transferred using a transfer tool (which is the inverseshape of the molding tool) to a heated press tool, desirably heated to160-210 degrees Celsius, Step 1360. This press tool then closes onanother heated press tool effectively squeezing the felt, Step 1370. Dueto the pressure of the press tools and the heat being applied, the feltdries into a pulp form approximately 1 mm thick that is high intolerance and has a smooth surface texture. The upper press tool thendischarges the form from the thermoforming machine, Step 1380.

FIG. 9 shows yet another exemplary alternative embodiment of the bottle400, generally designated as 400″, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The pulp shoulder of the bottle400″, generally designated as 420″, differs from the pulp shoulder 420of the bottle 400 in how it is attached to the pulp body 410. The bottomof pulp shoulder 420″ comprises an S-shaped (in cross section) portion910 that forms a channel 912 for receiving the top 412 of the pulp body410. In another exemplary embodiment, the top 412 of the pulp body 412may include a channel, similar to the channel 912, for receiving thebottom of the pulp shoulder 420. In such an embodiment, once theadhesive is applied inside the pulp shoulder channel 412, the pulp body410 would be inserted into the pulp shoulder channel 412, causing thetop edge of the pulp body 410 to positively locate in the pulp shoulderchannel 412 and thus bond the sections together.

FIG. 10 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of a bottle, generallydesignated as 1000, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The bottle 1000 is constructed in two pieces, a pulpbody 1010 and a bioplastic top 1030, instead of three pieces, aspreviously described herein. FIG. 10A illustrates a section of thebottle 1000 taken at lines B-B illustrated in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 10A, the pulp body 1010 may be similar to thepulp body 410 of the bottle 400, and the top 1030 may be similar to theshoulder 420 and the neck portion 430 if they were to be formed from onepiece in a bioplastic. In a first exemplary embodiment, the tall,outwardly drafted pulp body 1010 is directly bonded to the bioplastictop 1030 by an adhesive 1038. The bioplastic top 1030 is one piece andfunctions as the shoulder 420 and neck portion 430.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a bottom circumference 1032 of the bioplastic top1030 splits into two vertically aligned edges 1034 and 1036, theinterior of which forms a channel 1035. To assemble, the adhesive 1038may be applied in the channel 1035, so that upon insertion of the topedge 1012 of the pulp body 1010 into the channel 1035, the bioplastictop 1030 and the pulp body 1010 will be joined. The vertically alignededges 1034 and 1036 are adjacent to the inner and outer surface of thetop 1012 of the pulp body 1010. The fill line of the bottle 1000 forliquid contents may be above the bonding line of the bottle 1000, whichline is at which the bioplastic top 1030 and the pulp body 1010 arejoined. Additionally, the pulp body 1010 may comprise a smooth outersurface 1014 for applying a label.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the body of the bottle or portionsof the body of the bottle may also be made of a bioplastic material, asopposed to a pulp material. Further, the neck portion or portions of theneck portion may be made of pulp. Referring now to FIG. 11, there isillustrated an exemplary embodiment of a bottle, generally designated as1100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The bottle 1100 comprises a body 1110 that is formed from abioplastic material. Otherwise, the bottle 1100 may be constructedsimilarly to the bottles 400, 400′, or 400″, with additional features asdescribed below. It is to be understood that, in exemplary alternativeembodiments, portions of the body 1110 may be made from pulp, forexample the bottom of the body 1110.

The body 1110 comprises a plurality of vertically aligned base creases1167 that provide additional structural support to the body 1110. Thebody 1110 may have a surface area 1169 to apply a label, which may serveto conceal any visible lines where the pieces of the bottle are joined.It is to be understood that other embodiments of the bottle 1110 inwhich the creases 1167 are ridges are contemplated or that any of thecreases 1167 or ridges 1167 may be horizontal or circumferentiallydisposed about the body 1110. Further, it is contemplated that radial orconcentric creases or grooves may be disposed on a shoulder 1120 of thebottle 1100, which shoulder 1120 corresponds to the pulp shoulder 420 ofthe bottle 400.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly,it is to be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is tobe understood that this invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes andmodifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

1. A liquid containing apparatus, comprising: a pulp body; a pulpshoulder comprising an outer surface and an inner surface; and abioplastic neck portion comprising an outer surface and an innersurface, wherein the bioplastic neck mates with the pulp shoulder, andthe pulp shoulder mates with the pulp body.
 2. The liquid containingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulp shoulder further comprises anopening at its top.
 3. The liquid containing apparatus of claim 2,wherein the pulp shoulder is disposed over at least a portion of thebioplastic neck portion, and wherein the bioplastic neck portion furthercomprises a bioplastic neck that extends through the opening of the pulpshoulder.
 4. The liquid containing apparatus of claim 2, wherein thebioplastic neck portion further comprises a ridge along the outersurface of the bioplastic neck portion, wherein the pulp shoulderresides over at least a portion of the bioplastic neck portion below theridge along the outer surface of the bioplastic neck portion.
 5. Theliquid containing apparatus of claim 4, wherein a top edge of the pulpshoulder abuts against the ridge so that an exterior of the liquidcontaining apparatus about the ridge is smooth.
 6. The liquid containingapparatus of claim 3, further comprising an adhesive applied between atleast a portion of the outer surface of the bioplastic neck portion andat least a portion of the inner surface of the pulp shoulder portion tosecure the bioplastic neck portion to the pulp shoulder.
 7. The liquidcontaining apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bioplastic neck portion issecured to the pulp should by way of a heat seal formed between at leasta portion of the outer surface of the bioplastic neck portion and atleast a portion of the inner surface of the pulp shoulder.
 8. The liquidcontaining apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bioplastic neck portion isdisposed over at least a portion of the pulp shoulder.
 9. The liquidcontaining apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive appliedbetween at least a portion of the outer surface of the pulp shoulder andat least a portion of the inner surface of the bioplastic neck portionto secure the bioplastic neck portion to the pulp shoulder.
 10. Theliquid containing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bioplastic neckportion is secured to the pulp should by way of a heat seal formedbetween at least a portion of the outer surface of the bioplastic neckportion and at least a portion of the inner surface of the pulpshoulder.
 11. The liquid containing apparatus of claim 2, wherein thepulp shoulder further comprises a vertical lip and a horizontal shelf,the vertical lip comprising an inner surface, and wherein a top of thepulp body is adjacent to and in contact with the inner surface of thevertical lip and the horizontal shelf when the pulp body is secured tothe pulp shoulder.
 12. The liquid containing apparatus of claim 11,further comprising an adhesive applied to the inner surface of thevertical lip to secure the pulp shoulder with the pulp body.
 13. Theliquid containing apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a labelapplied over the mating of the pulp shoulder with the pulp body around acomplete circumference of the liquid containing apparatus.
 14. Theliquid containing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the label is adhered toan exterior of the lip and an upper exterior portion of the lower pulpbody below the vertical lip of the pulp shoulder.
 15. The liquidcontaining apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulp body and the pulpshoulder each further comprises an interior sealing coating.
 16. Theliquid containing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulp body includesone or more vertical strengthening creases.
 17. The liquid containingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the pulp body further comprises one ormore vertical strengthening ribs.
 18. The liquid containing apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the pulp shoulder further comprises one or more radialstrengthening creases.
 19. A liquid containing apparatus, comprising: apulp body comprising an outer surface and an upper edge; a pulp shouldercomprising: one or more strengthening creases; a channel; and anoverhanging lip, a bioplastic neck portion comprising an outer surfacecomprising a ridge, wherein the pulp shoulder resides over at least aportion of the outer surface of the bioplastic neck portion below theridge so that an exterior of the liquid containing apparatus about theridge is smooth, and wherein the upper edge of the lower pulp bodyresides within the channel of the pulp shoulder so that at least aportion of the outer surface of the pulp body is adjacent with aninterior surface of the overhanging lip of the pulp shoulder.
 20. Amethod of manufacturing a container for liquids, comprising:thermoforming a pulp body comprising inner and outer surfaces; injectionmolding a neck portion with a bioplastic; attaching the neck portion tothe pulp body; and securing the neck portion to the pulp body.